Ramona May Spencer

A Life Well Lived (and Done Correctly)

Ramona May Spencer, 79, has left us to carry on without her expert advice, strong opinions, and very particular way of doing things. While we are heartbroken by her passing, we suspect she’s already busy making sure everything is arranged just the way she likes it.

Feisty, opinionated, fiercely independent, and blessed with a generous heart, Ramona was a woman who knew what she wanted and how things ought to be done. Some might have called her a perfectionist, but Ramona would have simply told you there was a right way to do things and no good reason not to do them that way.

A proud daughter of the Appalachian Mountains, Ramona cherished her mountain heritage and the traditions that came with it. She spent her career as a medical laboratory technician, working at several area hospitals before retiring from McDowell Hospital. She brought the same dedication and attention to detail to her work that she brought to everything else in life.

Ramona was happiest when she was creating something beautiful, useful, or delicious. An accomplished quilter, enthusiastic gardener, and talented baker, she loved sharing her hobbies and knowledge with anyone willing to learn. Her carrot cake was legendary, and anyone lucky enough to have a slice knew it was something special.

But perhaps Ramona’s greatest talent was making people feel loved. She wasn’t shy about saying “I love you,” but she was even better at showing it. If you were someone special to Ramona, chances are you have a quilt she made just for you. Not just any quilt, but one thoughtfully chosen, carefully pieced, and stitched with love (and, naturally, impeccable attention to detail). Birthdays and special occasions meant your favorite foods, prepared exactly the way you liked them. For Ramona, love wasn’t just something you said. It was something you made, baked, grew, and gave away.

Although Ramona had no children of her own, she was everyone’s beloved “Aunt Ramona.” Ramona deeply cherished her nieces and nephews. She lovingly made a quilt for each of them, creating lasting keepsakes that reflected her thoughtfulness and love. She was a mentor, cheerleader, teacher, and sometimes a not-so-gentle voice of correction.

Ramona was preceded in death by Henry, who passed away two years ago. Anyone who knew them will surely remember Ramona’s unmistakable call of “HENRY!”—a single word capable of conveying an impressive range of emotions. We like to think he’s heard that familiar call once again and knows she’s arrived. And perhaps he’s already been given a few instructions.

Whenever someone was facing a difficult time, Ramona was fond of saying, “This too will pass.” Those simple words reflected her practical wisdom, resilience, and ability to offer comfort when it was needed most. Now, as we face the sadness of losing her, we find ourselves holding on to the very advice she so often gave.

Ramona leaves behind a legacy stitched into quilts, baked into countless carrot cakes, planted in gardens, and woven into the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her. She taught us to work hard, love fiercely, share what we know, take pride in where we come from, and never do something halfway when it could be done right.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered in this world, a world we are just passing through. Her faith in Jesus Christ was most important to her. Her trust and faith in HIM gave her the strength and peace to leave this world behind and to walk in eternity with our one and only true savior. She is happy and rejoicing while a void is left behind for us to fill with memories of her that make us smile, laugh and cry.

Ramona was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry Don Spencer; her brothers, Arvil May, Cecil May, and Homer May; and her sister, Tressie May Hoover.

She is survived by her sister, Carolyn May Sheets, along with her beloved nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

A celebration of Ramona’s life will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, November 8, 2026 at Hankins Baptist Church in Marion, NC.

Rest easy, Aunt Ramona. We’ll try to do things the right way. Or, as you would have called it, the only way.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.